9 MARCH 1839, Page 2

ncbatts an ZI:ocrafinas in 19arliament.

THE LORD-LIEUTENANT .k ND TUE CHURCH OP Inns.AND.

Viseount EIMINGTON was introduced to the Lords on Monday, by the Duke of Argyll and the Marquis of Conyngham; and took the oaths and his seat as Berm Forteseue. After some petitions had been presented, end Lord MINTo lied made a statement relative to the Navy, Lord EnussasToN addressed the House. He referred to the attack made upon hint in his absence, founded on an uncorrected and incor- rect report of expressions attributed to bins relative to the Irish Church. It wonkl, he thought, have Iteen more convenient had Lord Lynd- hurst's !'rotestant zeal permitted him to wait until he (Lord Ebiang- ton) had taken Isis seat, before Hulking- the attack of which he com- plained. At least, Lord Lyndhurst might have communicated his in- tention to seine friend, who might have been instructed to reply on behalf of the absent party. Before he proceeded to state what he really had said respecting the Irislithurch, Lord Ebrington begged to ask Lord Lyndintr:::, whether it had never happened to him, with all his varied knowledge, tact, talent, and experience, to let fall expressions, in the heat of &lea., which were afterwards commented upon and explained in a sense i.C'erelit from that in which they were uttered? And he would ask Lord Lyndhurst, whether he considered the use of sloth ex- pressions a disqualification for holding any office connected with the .eotuttry to hiell they were applied'? Furthermore, he wished to know whether, as a lawyer. he considered it perfectly fair to assume guilt, pass sentence, and call for execution, without giving the party assailed, Z,It epportunity of defence ? He saw the Duke of Wellington in his place ; and from him at least he was sure" to receive fitiruess and justice ; and he would say, in the words of the Duke's near relative, (the Marquis Wellesley,) in reply to an address presented to him in Dublin on assuming the government of Ireland—" I come to admi- nister the itst, not to chattge them." Although he had all Isis life been ae elvecate of' constitutional reform, he had never upon any occasioe ads lad resistance even to the most odious laws, When fit 'return:, iii 1,, autumn, previous to the passing of the Coercion Bill, -when :at p,1%,,Ils paying tithes were publicly denounced, he directed that title lie' the property with which he was connected should be paid : ;Ind property were menaced in a placard stock upon the door t.t' a I toms ii Catholic chapel in his own village. I laying made these p.• s:i . ren rarks, Lord Ebrington proceeded to give the cor: reet vet i• et the speech which had been the subject of animadver-

sion. 'n ris he used were these-

" But it 1I.' 7t against the present tithe system is Still to go on, notwitl • of this bill, the burden of the struggle will he of' the poor and ignorant peasant to those of the hlwitilders will be mach better able to hear the war with effect."

1;• el the word " war," which was liable to . C .11 Is meant that he hoped Parliament woeld be • ttttL r,iiionstrances against the tithe eystein, that a lvarll:re emild be substituted for tis. ;se isenice lese lr.id produced it much misery. Lord ,'eseesitiou of Ids re elution to talmitili ter

imp es ,ite tice hit tut expression of' hope that as he .shottel ry with him the sses• sy nipethy whish Lord Nornemby had shutvit for the sufferings of' ths I s1lt 'amide, he should also at tlw

Pre-

volence from that people which marked Lord Normanb

nation of his career, were it long or short, reap the same harys:sesat cOpi r-ahr—et un—re from the Irish shores.

Lord LYNDHURST defended the course he had taken. With regard to expressions he had himself used on a former occasion respecting the Irish people, he would say at once, that considering the use made of them, and the odium thrown upon him in consequence of haying uttered them, he was disqualified for holding a high appointment in Ireland, He had not proceeded incautiously in calling attention to Lord Ming. ton's speech. He "hacl read reports, and made inquiries, and only quoted part of the speech, afterwards read entirely by another noble lord. In Ministerial journals that speech had been quoted with approbation. And now, what did Lord Ebrington's explanation amount to?-e: Not to a repudiation of hostility to the Irish Church—he only pretended to have been misunderstood as to the mode in which the -warfare was to be carried on. Lord Ly-ndhurst's opinion was, that although Lord Ebrington had on several occasions actively interposed to save the Ministry, his principles went directly to the subversion of the Church and the Ile narchy. Lord MELBOURNE said, that the mode of proceeding adopted by Lord Lyndhurst aud other Lords in this matter could only- have the effect of stirring questions better at rest, and exciting effiniesities and discords. He eulogized Lord Ebrington's public character. Ile de- nied that the principles of Ministers could be derived from leading articles in what were called Ministerial journals. These articles were sio authority. Indeed, some articles recently written in svhat is called a 'Ministerial paper were not of a very friendly character ; they could not be said to afford very effective or valuable support to the Adnenis- trtttion. He could answer for Lord Ebrington, that he would act upon the rule he had laid down—that he wonld go to Ireland to " administer the law, not to change it ;" and he was satisfied that, under the circum- stances, a better choice could not have been made.

The Duke of WELLINGTON laid great stress on the word " war," -which Lord Ebrington admitted that he used. The expression justi- fied the demand for explanation ; and he felt satisfied, having beard Lord Ebrington's explanation, that he would not go to Ireland with the intent to stimulate warlike attacks on the-Church. But the main ques- tioa was, svhether the Protestant Church of Ireland would be effec- tually sustained by Ministers and by Lord Ebrington ? On that point be was not satisfied, and required snore precise explanation.

Lord I3noutinAm was convinced that Lord Ebrington would go to Ireland with the full determination to act in conformity with Lord Wellesley's and Lord Anglesey's policy, and administer justice impar- tially and steadily. But if he took a different course- " If be submits to dictation from any quarter whatever, if he suffers any man to say, 4 I have six millions of followers at my hack, choose between their ap- plause or their hatred,' if under such circumstances he does not at once make ILLS choice according to his strict line of public duty, but instead of ministernw the law becomes the willing executor of the designs of a party, then will ail that ha, been done in consequence of the noble lord's notice dthis subject— then will all that has been said by the noble duke—and then will all the ob- servations and declarations which have beets made this evening by my noble friend himself, all redound to his shame ; and then will this appointment, in- stead of tending to his own credit and the testing benefit of the country, tend sorely to the disadvantage of both ; and then will men say that he has been sent as a firebrand amongst combustible materials, and that his own good qualities themselves were lost in the disasters which ensued."

Lord WIIARNCLIFFE remarked, that there was no cause of complaint neeinst those who had brought this question before Parliament. Lord Ebrington had an undoubted right to make the speech quoted ; hut when Ministers went out of the usual road, and picked the noble lord out of the House of Commons to elevate loins to the peerage and make him Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, so remarkable a proceeding naturally attracted attention— In his opinion, it was quite impossible for Lord Ebrington, with that speech recorded of him, to go out to Ireland without exciting the fears of the Pro- testants and the hopes of the Catholic population for the destruction of the Protestant Church. In October last, a noble lord, then in the household of her Majesty, had signed a requisition for a county meeting for the total abolition of Tittles ; and within two months after, her Majesty, in her Speech from the Throne, had said, that" she trusted that the Act passed for the Composition of Tithes in Ireland would increase the security mid promote the inter;-sts of that species of property." Now, he would ask 'whether the speech of' the noble lord in the House of Commons on the occasion referred to, was to be taken in the same sense, or whether it should not be rather read, "I trust that the Act the the Composition of Tithes in Ireland will decrease the security of that spe- cies: of property ?"

With Lord Whernsliffe's remarks the conversation closed.

THE NAVY.

The Earl of Miele), on Monday, stated that he had received accounts from Sir Philip Durham and other officers its the service, which con- firmed his own statement as to the condition of the Navy, especially the state of equipment of different vessels. The officers expressed them- selves notch hurt by the doubt thrown by Lords Hardwicke and Col- chester upon the truth of the returns they had given. It appeared from additional inquiries made by Lord Minto, that Lord Hardwieke had been grossly deceived respecting the eondition of the ships of Nur at Plymmith.

In the House of Conniions, on the saute day, Mr. Cue WOOD brought fitment the Navy Estimates. Previously to the Speaker leav- ing the chair on the motion that the House should go into a Committee of Supply, Mr. DUNE showed, by an array of figures, that although the revenue had decreased, the cost of emintaining the Army tied Navy had been largely increased, lie considered it the Chanceller a the Exchequer's duty to satisfy them Bee the country was its a cm:ditto:1 to support enormous establishments losl,re money was voted; anti he pro- posed a resolution to that effect.

Sir Emu an Comensurox, ptei n Boum:am Sir I laxity HAR- I/INGE, Mr. F. H. BeateeLev, and Sir Cs:woes Ceana made Sall IC ob- servations respecting the state of the Nits y, especially the equipment of vessels and manning of the fleet. They complained that, owitie to a vicious system, the strength of the Navy had been dinlinislurd, and the reputation of the British flag degraded. Mr. BERRI:LEV read ex- tracts from letters written by Sir Edward Codringtou cud four other

distinguished naval officers, in high commendation of Captain Maurice Berkeley's pamphlet; the publication of which, after the appearance of Sir John Barrow's Life of Anson, he considered to be justifiable, and necessary to set the Captain, as a Lord of the Admiralty, right with the public and the service.

Mr. CHARLES WOOD, Lord Howicx, and Sir THOMAS TROWBRIDGE, contended that the present plan of paying and pensioning officers and seamen was an improvement on the former practice. Sir THOMAS TaowintinoR said, that new arrangements for the armament of the fleet were in progress, and when the necessary experiments were completed, it would be the proper time to consider the requisite complement of men. As to Captain Berkeley's pamphlet, the Captain ought to have It was found, too, that the lower masts, from having been two or three years resigned first, and publit.thed his pamphlet afterwards; and he had longer exposed to the weather, were so much the vnirse tint it was nycessary to

the satisfimtion of knowing front Captain Berkeley himself, that hail

he ttiken more time for consideration, he would not have totted as he had to a res011ition to remave iill the nia:ts and every thing (ainnceted 1,-1111 tliteet done. shins into stores appropt-iated to than. where they wen? kept regillait tallied, Mr. Hum: withdrew his motion, and the Speaker left the chair. and ready for me. The elreet of this waS, tint imi,t,, lashaid of 1,ing ii.posed The House being in Committee, to all weathers, were now kept Under CoVer; Mid instead Of being 111.-acb;d 1,y

Mr. Co Aut.Fts Woon rose and delivered a very long speech on the

state of the Navy. He went over the ground taken up by Lord Minto • -Iron; his exp; rience, that this vas a much beiter system than that adopted by in the other House when replying to the observations of Lord Col- the right lionettrahl,.. hathiet. N..t that he thotOit :My blame attach:Al to Sir chaster and Hardwicke. He compared the actual three of the British Genie Clerk or to Ow Board 14. Admiralty : %in the coi.' laity, the s.yst,ein with that of the French, Russian, and American navies; maiataining teiepted bv them mieht have atts-vered very well if all the stens aed so.ls bail that the strength of the latter had. been much exaggerated by Com- mander Crawford and other writers whose works had recently attracted much attention. He maintained that it was not somid policy to keep up a war establishment in time of peace. as it was impossible that this country could be attacked without warning; but, m the event id a found it. Ifut the main question was, whether c!sm N.c Sm mlw ',vas In sadden war, England would be found much better prepared at the pre- the state requitted for the defence of the e0111Dry, :D;,1 sufficient sent thile, than at any period since the peace ; and Mr. Wood supported •• strength to nedetein the sneeriority of Engle-el on ocean. He this assotaion by the comparison of the number of ships now in com- thought not ; and strenuously recommended thet more vo,sels should mission, and seamen employed, with those maintained by '.i'ory Govern- lie built and hurichoth II,. proposed that tlwre shoidd be annually mons, The same remarks would apply to the condition of the dock- beelebed thce., nev, et' the line and duress new frher,.ttes, and that yards end the quantity of timber and stores on hand. He moved that three old shies should lei reiestired- a-Lrel men be the number allotted for the service of the year. It Nvas estimated that It 1,!.,1 120 shipwrights to build a in a. twelve- Sir EDWARD CODRINGTON moved an adjournment ; and it was agreed that the Committee should sit again on Wednesday.

-I- he Speaker took the eliair, and the House adjourned at half-past

tic cisc.

The subject was again brought before the House, on:rues:lay. by Sir F,DWARO Comas:aro:: ; who moved It resolution, That, with doe consideration far the exigencies cif the State, it is itnivrt- ant to the intere:4 and 11011011r or the country, that all her :1Injesty's ships in commission shall !nye stud] a complement of men as will render them efficient to every emergency • and that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she he graciously pleased to enlarge the powers of the icaval and Military Commission now sitting, su as to en-donee the :subject of pensions, and every other subject which they think beneficial to the public service."

The speech in which Sir Edward Codringtoa supported his motion, consisted chiefly of statements intended to prove that English vessels of war are inefficiently manned; that the pay and pensions to ()fib:airs and seamen itt the Navy are inadequate to the services expected of them ; that nitwit discontent is the inevitable consequence of such bad treat- ment ; toil that the Military and Naval Commission ought to be em- powered to extend their inquirb.is Sc) as to embrace these importont

matters. Edward confirmed some of Connnander Crawfitrd's state- ments respecting the force of the Russian navy ; and complained that they had not been treated by the Secretary of the Admiralty with the re- spect they deserved.

11r. GRANTLEY Blotoci.,Ey seconded the motion. He v.-as of opinion that the heads of the Admiralty were unworthy of confidence. It appeared that several recommendations of his relative, Cam:till Berkeley, would be attended to, and he rejoiced to hear it— Ile was glad that Captain Berkeley had fiwreited his situation ; and he hoped that lie should never see any member of the family to which he helonged sitting at any board like a blind puppet, to dance at the will of his leader to whose opinions he did not in his own mind subscribe.

Lord llowrok opposed the motion. He had taken the liberty of asking the Duke of NVellington, at a meeting that day of the. Military and Naval Commission, 'whether the subject matters of inquiry before the Commission were not already sufficiently extended : and tile Dolce unemtivon!ly declared his opinion that they were. the thcretbre could not consent to a motion which imposed on the Commission the dntv of into every subject they might thini; beneficial to the pliblic service.

In discossion which followed, Sir GeoncE Sratesirox entered into a brief and almost inaudible defence of his friend sir John Barrow. Cclptcic• nII ECHELL complained of' the inadequate manning of the fleet. Captain ‘, loenox declined to give any opinion 011 ally of the subjects intro:Itteed. by Sir Edward Codrington but would ri ....rye himself for the discussion on the Estimates. Sir CHAlil.F.S ADAM, expressing his regret at the resignation of' Captain Berkeley, said that, nevertheless, many of his statements were untrue. Mr. Hump; expressed bit: osto- nishment timt Ministers should claim credit, not fin' having, reduced, but augmented the expenditure on the Navy. were on an entirely -A I ,r scent— Sir Edo ' ord Codrington's motion Was negntived without a division. Ile hal hoe since the ettetlilon et' tie On Wednesday, the adjourned del-v.11e On the Navy Estimates was re- t:;) , • , • ti • ,• slimed in a Committrie of Supply. or:me:dipsh; pmet Sir Geonoe Clyne addressed Om House. lIe opplied himself chiefly I they were not ready, to the question whether the naval foree of the eomary was judiciously sin. was at war in t s'sc q' i--c-'------1 ce world. Sho (lb:tribe:ed. It did lint follow, because there wore more men . 111 Asia ; and scud Ic said rm, that when a itou..ti.y .1 . • Le (-x.igencies of he service were as well supplied now- as then. The fo- leo... he hell,,vt they were reduced is reign policy ,,r the present Government, which placed this country in an attitude or hostility to i.owers with whom former Governments were on the most friendly terms. renderecl all inerease in the naval force of the cowl: indispensable. But lw contended, that augmented fore(' was not availahle to the extent it might be, in cause:pi:ewe of its injudieious distrileition ; and that, on an emergency, the diffictilty of' finding ships ready for service was notorious. There might be a naval force where it was not needed, but in the Gulf of Mexico there was no fleet sullieient for the protection of British merchantmen. men. As to Captain Berkeley's pamphlet, the Captain ought to have It was found, too, that the lower masts, from having been two or three years resigned first, and publit.thed his pamphlet afterwards; and he had longer exposed to the weather, were so much the vnirse tint it was nycessary to cluinge them also. The Admiralty, consequently, instituted a close and minute inspection of the masts and gear •uf tin differen't veostls : and nitimately came he ttiken more time for consideration, he would not have totted as he had to a res011ition to remave iill the nia:ts and every thing (ainnceted 1,-1111 tliteet done. shins into stores appropt-iated to than. where they wen? kept regillait tallied, Mr. Hum: withdrew his motion, and the Speaker left the chair. and ready for me. The elreet of this waS, tint imi,t,, lashaid of 1,ing ii.posed The House being in Committee, to all weathers, were now kept Under CoVer; Mid instead Of being 111.-acb;d 1,y the frosts of winter, and dried 1,v the suns of slimmer, were kept perfectly

tca■tv to Ile put on bon.: ship the 'moment they were naptinal. Ile maintniiied

state of the Navy. He went over the ground taken up by Lord Minto • -Iron; his exp; rience, that this vas a much beiter system than that adopted by in the other House when replying to the observations of Lord Col- the right lionettrahl,.. hathiet. N..t that he thotOit :My blame attach:Al to Sir chaster and Hardwicke. He compared the actual three of the British Genie Clerk or to Ow Board 14. Admiralty : %in the coi.' laity, the s.yst,ein with that of the French, Russian, and American navies; maiataining teiepted bv them mieht have atts-vered very well if all the stens aed so.ls bail that the strength of the latter had. been much exaggerated by Com- mander Crawford and other writers whose works had recently attracted much attention. He maintained that it was not somid policy to keep up a war establishment in time of peace. as it was impossible that this country could be attacked without warning; but, m the event id a found it. Ifut the main question was, whether c!sm N.c Sm mlw ',vas In sadden war, England would be found much better prepared at the pre- the state requitted for the defence of the e0111Dry, :D;,1 sufficient sent thile, than at any period since the peace ; and Mr. Wood supported •• strength to nedetein the sneeriority of Engle-el on ocean. He this assotaion by the comparison of the number of ships now in com- thought not ; and strenuously recommended thet more vo,sels should mission, and seamen employed, with those maintained by '.i'ory Govern- lie built and hurichoth II,. proposed that tlwre shoidd be annually mons, The same remarks would apply to the condition of the dock- beelebed thce., nev, et' the line and duress new frher,.ttes, and that yards end the quantity of timber and stores on hand. He moved that three old shies should lei reiestired- a-Lrel men be the number allotted for the service of the year. It Nvas estimated that It 1,!.,1 120 shipwrights to build a in a. twelve-

month so if ;00 hands a,1,1,•,1, this at tht vat,. of :is. , ..t1,1 imanuit to y. ar. t.. inat.vials, the doithe

of the the sale 1.-- 1 cc 1. a vinr, inakii.g- a to- al cc 11.).,1011/.; which iqini he wally w bad be the fail amount req.,:red to 01 the :%0-1..ty r, icy the • te efficiency cc c. • ..whe. Ile rcally believed that diii-ety's

mitinct to ,• inerease the Ea:tingles, they ci 11 meet. (.'0!“.•1111'eliCe of the 11011-e. I ci..c?c illC

■ I: Titte Mirtow hounds ;

Tot-y 0-

s n's, let them put he cit.,- in a t-1ght paint of view II alms h-. !•1, it they wore all united in t'ae tic all lieu the c:t-o Sir Etrx.k !:li c; ":.0:s: dwelt upon tite n.tieessily if mattning the English shit s et. net': er: a 11111(.11 more liberal scale, mei upon Mereasing the telltalli.Tati:a or:loyal olliecrs.

LO rd ASID.1-3" ci c tail exasninatiots of the detaile of di.- Estimates tool Expe"t,lh ..te of the 'I-cry Government of I 835, wlien he was connected whit tie, A .deliralty, woald prove that the nondition of' the Navy had itt no a. seeet been altered l'or the worse durieg tbe short period or that Go; ,-"tece, nt's existence. Tint Estimates had baen, in fact, prepared by their Mr. IIENity Bet; atmee briefly defended Captain Beek el i si conduct. Ile had set a geod exatople to 1.c.trd 31into and Admiral Lord Ism:slam:: confirmed the statements of prey I, ars sleet', otts

re-

spect the diffienity of managing ships at sea with the present all (m--

auee of Mei]. Ile •silS9 e0iii;•1,l'1071 that sC:1;nea were subjected to

unnecessary et:pill:es, in trete tetog ;hen:selves with slops, tobaceo, and other necessitries.

On Captain GrmooN's motion, after sligl it. opposition frem Mr. ('mm-icc mice \\ icon, 'the del cccii Was again adjourned, to Friday.

scene of the disenssion again changed oa Thursiley to the House of Lords ; where The Fend of hI.. !teem: it rein:rated some of his stetemonts respect- ing the deli eieec of stdres and equipments, a nil the condition of

" demonstratiomsitip-:- Per:sow:eh and Plymouth. He regreited that what he im i'elt is I, is cc,, t-i, st ate should have hurt the officers

in command .11 t't• re. :ts to c-ad or.:1 the ecturns fnrnisked to the Admiralty ieere felse," tre: too etning ccci expn.ission, len be still

maintained ilea they wen.- c-:'-, crate I few ncccicl there be thirty sail Admiral Amin declined to make any remarks on that part of Sir George Clerk's speech which related. to the foreign policy of the pre- sent Government; but he was prepared to contend that the Board of Admiralty had been incessantly employed in remedying the deficiencies of their predecessors ; and that in the rigging of vessels, supplying them with stores, and other important matters connected with the main- tenance of an efficient navy, many improvements had been made on old practices. It was found on examination, that vessels rigged under Sir ,George Clerk's direction were tendly unfit for sea. For instance, it was found nem-issue. unrig me' --rig the Hercules; by which much time was lost end expense incurred—

been new and perfect.

Sir J.Inett entersq into a defence of his telniiit'stretbei of the naval etvairs of the vomit ry ; and mentioned a variety bf details to show that he had hill the Navy in a much better (eteditioa than he ments in time of pence, and likewise the extended ditties called for in times of of war. (Cheers.) A remarkable illustration of the difficulties certain to arise under the

present system had recently occurred— •

In the course of last year there were certain discussions in this country—he believed there was one m that House on the subject of the blockade in nfexico. In the month of August, the Government of this country had thought proper to order a squadron to the Gulf of Mexico for the purpose of lookihg after those blockades, and of giving sonic protection to her Majesty's subjects in pursuit of their lawful commerce in that part of the world. Nearly at the same time, the French Government thought proper to reinforce their squadron in that place. When he said that the French Government did this at the stone time with ours, he meant that orders to sail were issued for the same period. But the French Government did not carry on war with a peace establishment. When they were at war in Mexico they sent thither a force that was a war force : and what ensued ? 'Why, the orders to sail having been given in the month of August, they %Vae carrying on operations—and he ventured to say very handsome operations they were—in the month of November. (Cheers.) We were engaged in war in Alnerica • and having only a peace establishment, we were obliged to take our ships (wl'iich were orderml to 'Mexico in the smile month as the French squadron) from the operations of war, in order to employ them in the duties of a peace establishment ; that was to say, we had to Cal them off from putting down the rebellion in Canada, and send them to give protection to our commena• in the Gull' of Mexico. (Cheers.) Admiral. Sir C. Paget was ordered with his squadron to perform duty in North America. It was true that his own ship sailed from Bermuda, but his squadron was with- drawn from the service of North America for the purpose of performing the peace duties of giving protection to our commerce. Now, that was the point of which he complained. (Cheers.) We were carrying on war in America— we were at this moment carrying on a most extensive war in Asia—both of them requiring all the force and power of this country to bring them to an easy and honourable termination ; yet we were doing both with a reduced peace establishment, and were incurring all descriptions of risks in every other part of the world. (Cheers.) And all this was going 011 while we disputed whether an additional mast was put up in a ship of war—when in point of fact the whole force of the country ought at this moment to be under nrms, in order to bring the contest in which we were engaged to it speedy and honourable termi- nation. (Cheers.) But let them just observe, when the orders given in August by our Government were carried into operation. Though the French squadron arrived at Mexico in November, ours did not come to the same place until the 31st of December. He mentioned these dates in order to show the absolute impossibility of carrying oil war with peace estaMishments, not only as regnrded war, but even with respect to the proper performance of the duties of peace.

His observations had been confined to the Navy, but they were appli- cable to the state of the Army, and all oar establishments— He should just make one observation on the state of the war in North America. A noble earl (Durham) had read a letter a finv evenings ago from a correspondent of his in North America, respecting the evils and inconveniences resulting from a vast number of our colonists in that quarter being called upon to take arms as volunteers. The consequence was, the total cessation from the labours of cultivation, to the great future detriment of that province. Now, there was no man in that House—there was no one who read the newspapers— who must not see that if we had an establishment sufficient to augment our army., we need not call out the people of this province as substitutes for our regular troops. Thus, a paucity of troops was in reality, under our circum- stances, a vast expense; for every volunteer that was maintained cost an in- finitely larger sum of money than the soldier would have done in whose place be was taken. The expense of 'the Army was in this way greatly increased; and a most impolitic system was adopted of taking men away from their proper occupations, and making them join in the profession of the Army, for which they were quite unfit. Me had adverted only to the war in America; hut in Asia, too, we were conducting warfare in the strangest manner that was ever heard of. Not only our European, but the native troops, were infinitely below the usual standard. But this observation was more particularly appli- cable to the Queen's troops. These things were known throughout the world ; and he repeated, it was quite out of the question that either in that or in any other operation undertaken by a country like this, we could succeed unless we earried it on with firmness' add unless the Government and Parliament showed that they were determined to take such steps as might bring our dispute to an early and honourable conclusion. (Cheers.) The Marquis of LANSDOWNE felt that so important a question as that which the Duke of Wellington had discussed, ought not to have been brought forward incidentally, and could not be fairly considered in the absence of the head of the Government ; and Lord Melbourne was prevented by indisposition front attending in his place. While, how- ever, he should decline entering at large into the subject, Ile would ad- mit ;hat there were "grave objects of apprehension in various parts of the world ;" though it could not be said that this country was any- where involved in a maritime war. On another point he would set the Duke of Wellington right— The noble duke supposed that the British force recently and effectually employed for the protection of British interests in the Gulf of Mexico could only he obtained by withdrawing them from Canada. lie could assure the noble duke that he had been misinformed on this subject ; because the greater portion of the force so employed was sent out from this country, and no ship was withdrawn from the coast of Canada which had not been ordered to be so withdrawn before the occurrence in Mexico took place ; and for this plain reason, that in the state of the coast of Canada and of the river St. Lawrence, it was unsafe to keep them in that part of our dominions.

The Duke of WELLINGTON rejoined, that his opinions were perfectly well known, and the expression of them could have taken nobody by surprise. He believed that he had understated the case, when he said that ships had been withdrawn from America to protect British com- merce in the Gulf of Mexico ; for the Governor's ship had actually been sent to Mexico— When they commenced to make war with a peace establishment, they were obliged to starve the peace as well as the war establishments. That was his opinion ; and he sincerely and anxiously hoped that they would not experience the truth of it, and find, when they brought, in a time of war, their peace service to the lowest possible state, that they were left without any reserve anywhere for any purpose whatever. (Cheers.) He had protested against this experiment two years aim, and he protested against it again now. Ile did not wash to give any troubre or inconvenience to any noble lord ; hut lie thought he was bound to state his views 011 a subject on which he felt strongly, and with respect to which lie was actuated by no other motive than all LIAlZiOUS desire for the honour of the service. (Cheers.)

CRIME, IN lamsNo.

This subject was discussed in both Houses on Thursday.

In the Lords, the Marquis of WxsTatuaut moved for a copy of a me- morial addressed to the Lord-Lieutenant for the liberation of Thomas Cooke from Mullingar Gaol. Cooke had been 'convicted of an'aggra. vated assault, and sentenced to fifteen months' imprisonment ; but was' released by the Lord-Lieutenant after the expiration of little More than half that term, and without bail. Lord Westmeath also mentioned other instances where the prerogative of mercy had, he considered, been improperly exercised.

The Marquis of NORMANRY justified Cooke's liberation, by state. meats he had received from the Judge who tried him, and from other persons, two of them clergymen, of his previous good character ; and . there were several mitigating circumstances not produced at the trial. He refused to furnish the papers moved for, as it was not usual to pro. duce such documents. By reference to the number of persons pardoned during former Administrations, especially while Sir Robert Peel was Secretary for the Home Department, Lord Normanby showed that he had not commuted an unusually large number of sentences.

The Duke of WELLINGTON Was sure that the House would not press fbr papers which Ministers said could not be conveniently produced, He objected to frequent commutations of sentences, because it led evil- disposed persons to doubt the certainty of punishment.

Lord CIIAULEVILLE maintained, that men of the worst character, hardened, and notorious offenders, had been treated with lenity ; and that it was incumbent on the House to inquire through what influence pardon for crimes was obtained.

Motion withdrawn.

In the Commons, Mr. SHAW moved for returns which would simply the House with materials for judging of the actual state of Ireland in regard to the amount and increase of crime,—the number of committals, convictions, inquests, rewards, and advertisements for the discovery of offenders, in the years 1535-6-7-8 and 9. He described the condition of Ireland as most alarming. In a great portion of that country there was no security for life or property. The returns presented to the House were deceptive. The apparent diminution in the number of crimes was occasioned by the omission in recent returns of petty larce- nies and other small offences. A fair and full return would exhibit a large increase. Mr. Shaw narrated particulars of many outrages, dwel- ling especially on Lord Norbury's murder, in support of his general proposition that under the present Government there was more danger to life and property than bad existed even in 'Ireland for a long series of years. He connected crime with political agitation, and maintained that Government had virtually encouraged outrages by rewarding poll. tics! agitators. They raised to the highest offices persons who hod been members of Associations which they pretended only to discountenance. They bartered patronage for votes in Parliament. Loyal men felt that it was useless to appeal to the Government for protection, when in reply to their applications they were insulted by being reminded that " property had its duties as well as rights." The performance of those duties in the most exemplar), manner afforded no security against mur- der. He appealed to the British public for protection of the orderly and peaceable portion of the Irish population ; for it was useless to ap- ply to a Government who felt, that were they to execute the laws and put down agitation, their future existence would not be worth one halfpenny. He did not ask for another Coercion Bill, but for a faithful enforcement of existing laws.

Lord BIonrwrn ridiculed the motion which Mr. Shaw's criminatory speech had introduced. Instead of a declaratory resolution condemn- ing the policy of Ministers, a vote of censure, an impeachment, or an address to remove them, it was nothing but a call for papers! And this when Protestantism was declared to be at its last gasp, and Ireland on the eve of a tremendous explosion. As for the information required, he should be glad to afford Mr. Shaw as much as he asked for—or more ; though there were one or two items included in his demand which it might be inconvenient to produce. Lord Morpeth denied that there had been an extraordinary amount of crime during the last three or four years in Ireland. For sixty years crimes of the same nature as were now too prevalent, had been as common as at the present time in that coun- try. A long list of such outrages he read to the House. They went to show that for more than half a century attacks upon property, mur- ders of clergymen, aggravated assaults, and other offences of precisely the same description as those which Mr. Shaw adduced to prove the peculiarly alarming condition of Ireland under the Normanby Admi- nistration, had been even more numerous than now. But Lord Morpeth maintained thtliat the number of successful prosecutions was greater during the years of his Secretaryship than at any previous period ; and this fact disproved the assertion that the Government had been remiss in enforcing the law. The grand source of crime in Ireland, Lord Morpeth maintained, was not political agitation, but the tenure of land— that was at the bottom of all the evils which afflicted the social system. Ejected tenants were the principal offenders. There were sufferings which defied endurance ; " the flesh would quiver when the pincers tear." Knowing and fouling this, he conceived that the Government was perfectly justified in reminding the landowners of Ireland that "property had its duties as well as rights."

Mr. COLQUHOUN, MY. EMERSON TENNENT, Colonel CONOLLY, Mr. Lnnros, and Mr. Sergeant JACKSON, supported Mr. Shaw's motion. and mentioned some facts corroborative ofhis statements. Mr. PIGOT (the Irish Solicitor-General,) Mr. VILLIERS STUART, Mr. FITZSIMON, and Mr. O'CONNELL, spoke on the other side. There was some personal altercation between Mr. O'CONNELL and Mr. JACKSON. The speeches generally do not require particular notice, but portions of Mr. O'Con- nell's, which created some excitement in the House, may be quoted we follow the report of the Morning Chronicle.

Speeches had been made by four gentlemen, natives of Ireland, who, it would appear, came there for the sole purpose of vilifying their native land— (Loud cries of" Oh" front the Opposition)—yes, of vilifying their native land, and endeavouring to prove that it was the worst and most criminal coun- try on the face of the earth. (Continued cries of" Oh .1" front the Opposi- tion.) " Yes, you came here to calumniate the country that gave you birth. (Oh, oh I ") it is said that there are some soils which produce enormous and crawling creatures—things odious and disgustful—(loond nod continued cheer- ing front the Opposition)—yes, you who cheer, there you are—can you deny it—are you not calurnniAtolli ? (" Oh, oh ") Oh I you hiss, hut you cannot sting. (Laughter.) I rejoice in my native rejoice that I was born m rt—I rejoice that 1 belong to it; your calumnies cannot diminish my regard for it.; your malevolence 'cannot blacken it in my esteem ; and although .your vices and crimes have driven it people to outrage and murder—(Loud cries of H Order? ").—yee, I say your vices and crimes—(Cries of "Chair ! ' TheSpeaher then, the crimes of men like you -have produced these re- inter/WI—well, (Cries of " Oh, oh 1 " front the Opposition.) * * It was the

Faits.

fashion of the honourable gentlemen opposite to give only vague and indefinite motions, in order that their anta,gomsts might be taken at a disadvantage. They placed upon the Notice-hook a vague and general motion, then came down with a catalogue of tales and a list -of dates, giving to the whole an ap- pearance of exactness and truth; and then, when the Government, unpre- pared to go into these details, replied only in general terms, they went away sad complained that they were not met. This was a trick, a party trick, to prejudice England in flavour of that faction which had so lung oppressed. and trampled upon Ireland—foul and malignant murderers—stained by blood, and dishonoured by the breach of treaties—for three hundred years making religion the pretext for their crimes, and now again lasting the sacred name of religion against right and justice. (Cries of ' 0/i!" and cheers.) It was said that the present Government had distinguished none but agitators—had given to none but agitators the emoluments of place—nay, it was said that they had abused the seat of justice, and placed none but agitators upon the bench. Was Ser- geant Ball an agitator? was Mr. Woulfe an agitator? was Sir Michael O'Loghkn an agitator ? These were the last appointments made by the Government— appointments which the honourable and learned Member for Bandon had done every thing in Ids power to prevent."

Much was said of Irish offence; but were there not more and worse Crimes committed in England ?

The number of recent murders in Ireland, given by the learned Recorder, was 14 since the 16th November ; but if the learned gentleman had called their attention to England, he would have fimnd that there had been 25 since the 16th November, leaving no less than 11 to the debit of Ireland; yet no English Member had risen, and said " What an abominable country mine is, what shocking people are the people of England." Besides these murders, however, there had been two cases of supposed murder, that is, where bodies had been found in a mutilated state; there had been 1:3 distinct attempts to commit great personal violence ; and there had been 20 incendiary fires,—one of which, by the by, was at Shaw, in Berkshire—(Lanyhter)—the learned Recorder in his list could not entunerate a single incendiary fire ; and notwithstanding this,

Ireland was to receive abuse, and above all the abuse of her own children. lle

had calculated the number of crimes in England of the greatest enormity— those which had been punished with imprisonment above six months—and he found that the number in Great Britain was 6,259, whilst the total number in Ireland was only 2,577, though the population in Ireland was within a third as much as the population in England.

Mr. O'CONNELL moved an addition to Mr. Shaw's motion, to include similar returns "front England, Wales, and Scotland."

On Colonel VERNER'S motion, the debate was adjourned to Friday ; though Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, he did not think it would come on then, as he was resolved to move the second reading of the Irish Cor- poration Bill, and afterwards that the House should go into Committee on the Navy Estimates ; it being highly important that an early vote should be taken for the Naval Service.

The House rose at a quarter before two o'clock.

SCOTCH FACTORIES: LORD ASHLEY AND MR. STUART.

On Monday, on the motion for going into a Committee of Supply, Lord ASHLEY called attention to a breach of privilege by Mr. Stuart, the Inspector of Factories for Scotland, contained in his Report laid on the table of the House by Lord John Russell, Lord Ashley entered into the particulars of his complaint ; the substance of which was, that the worst motives had been attributed to him by Mr. Stuart, for what he considered the performance of his duty as a member of the Com- bination Committee of last session ; and that Lord JOHN Rossem. had, in a manner, given his sanction to Mr. Stuart's Report, by laying it before Parliament. Referring to the published evidence of the Com- bination Committee, Lord Ashley laboured to show that Mr. Stuart had attacked him unjustly ; and that he had not endeavoured to make out a case against the Factory Bill by putting leading questions to cer-

tain ignorant and not credible witnesses, while he declined to examine well-informed and intelligent witnesses front Glasgow on the same point. He appealed to the Home Secretary, as a Minister, and still more as a gentleman, either to withdraw the charge, or to give an op- portunity of disproving it.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL reminded the House, that it was Mr. Stuart's dim' to enforce the Factory Act in Scotland; and it had been stated publicly in the House of Commons, particularly by Mr. O'Connell, on the faith of evidence given before the Combination Committee, that the Factory Act was not and could not be enforced in Scotland. Mr. Stuart naturally felt called upon to prove that this statement was erroneous— not to attack others, but to defend himself. The charge if it could be called a charge, was nothing more than this—that Lord charge, had lis- tened to persons not worthy of belief. Lord John thought that Mr. Stuart, having been attacked, ought to have an opportunity of defence ; and therefore he had laid his Report upon the table : it was not to be expected that, considering he had been assailed in the House of Com- mons, Mr. Stuart should keep his defence secret. Lord John referred to several portions of the evidence given to the Combination Committee, which showed that Mr. Stuart had not without reason attributed to Lord Ashley excessive credulity of all that was said of the hardships of the factory systent, and excessive incredulity with regard to all that was said in its defence.

Lord GRANVILLE SOMERSET expressed his disapprobation of the tone of Mr. Stuart's Report. Forty pages of it were devoted to proof of a charge of partiality against Members of Parliament.

Mr. O'CONNELL was surprised that so much time and noble indigna- tion were expended on a matter involving so very trifling, if any, breach of the privileges of the House— Mr. Stuart, in making his defence in the way he had done, was quite de- fensible. That gentlemen—employed in the service of the country, and receiv- ing the public money for the due performance of specific duties—mtturally felt that his character was at stake when it was stated before a Committee of the House of Commons that the regulations of the Factory Act, which he was bound to enforce, had been violated. That under such circumstances, Mr. Stuart should have taken the course he had in order to clear himself from the imputation thus cast upon his official character, was quite right, and, indeed, what one might be prepared to expect. On the other hand, although he could Rot quite agree in the course taken by Lord Ashley on this occasion, yet he felt perfectly assured of the purity of his motives. Had there not, then, been harsh observations applicable to the noble lord, there was this excellent ex- cuse—that he had been accused of a violation of his duty to the public—duty of the highest order of humanity, the protection of the children from being over-tasked in the factories. That this had really been the object of Mr. Stuart no one could doubt ; and he therefore hoped the noble lord would not press the subject further on the attention of the House.

After a few observations from Mr. GOULBURN, complimentary to Lord Ashley's character and motives, and front Mr. Fox Matits: in vindication of Mr. Stuart, Lord ASHLEY said, that he had no desire to preclude Mr. Stuart from defending himself; but complained, that in so doing he should have cast a foal and unfounded imputation on a Member of Parliament. He would not, however, pursue the matter further.

The subject dropped ; no motion having been made.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS. Sir Robert Peel's Bill was read a first time on Monday, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday next.

Coevniettr. The Deigns Copyright Bill, and the Designs Copy- right Extension Bill, were each read a second time on Monday, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday the 13th.

TURNPIKE TuusTs. A motion made, on Tuesday, by Mr. MAC- KINNON, for a Select Committee to inquire into the best means of securing creditors of turnpike trusts the sum of eight millions, ad- vanced on the security of tolls, and into the best means of consolidat- ing turnpike trusts, was opposed by Mr. Fox MarLE ; who would not encourage the idea that Government was prepared to take any measure for securing to individuals the repayment of the money they had ad- vanced. —Motion W I hdrawn .

Poer Or SLIT°. StMle discussion occurred on a motion by Mr. G tusoe for copies of correspondence between the Foreign Office and the British Embassy atStocAmlin relative to the port of Slito, on the North-eastern coast of the Island of Gottland, at the entrance into the Gulf of Bothnia and ("inland. It appeared from Mr. Gibson's state- ment, confirmed by Mr. Gmern, Mr. Hume, Mr. HAWES, and Mr. WARBURTON, that the Swedish merchants, in connexion with persons in England engaged in the Baffle trade, had applied to the Swedish Go- vernment to make Slito a free port. Many vessels, it was stated, were lost, which, could they obtain admission to the safe and capacious harbour, might be saved : in addition to which, they would avoid the necessity of taking refuge in Cronstadt, were they were subject to much annoyance. The Rus4ian Government had used its influence to prevent the compliance of the King of Sweden with the petitioners' request ; and it was urged that Lord Palmerston bad neglected to sup- port the claim of the British merchants in an efficient manner. There was at present no British Ambassador, only a Chargt; d'Affaires' at Stockholm ; and there had been no British Consul at Stockholm for about a year and a half. Lord PALMERSTON and Mr. POULETT THOMSON dcnied that British interests had been overlooked. Although there was no Ambassador at Stockholm—a domestic calamity had occasioned his temporary ab- sence—there was an efficient Chargé d'Affaires : and although there was no regularly appointed Consul, a person at Stockholm gave satis- faction in his performance of the duties of Consul. The question of making Slito a free port, was one simply of internal arrangement in which the British Government was not entitled, in any way, to inter- fere. On a division, Mr. Gibson's motion was rejected, by a vote of 140 to 118.

Govan:eon HEAD'S DESPATCHES. Mr. LABOUCITERE opposed a mo- tion by Mr. Hume for the production of all despatches and correspond- ence between Sir Francis Head and the Colonial Office,—on the ground that some portion of the correspoudence could not be laid before the House without inconvenience to the public service ; but he would not object to produce "copies or extracts" from the correspondence. The motion, amended. on Mr. Labouchere's suggestion, was carried.

THEATRICAL ENTERTAINMENTS IN WESTMINSTER. On Wednesday, Mr. THOMAS DCNCOMBE said he understood that Ministers had taken strong measures to defeat a resolution of the House of Commons, rela- tive to theatrical performances in Westminster on 'Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. He wished to know whether Lord John Russell ob- jected to produce the correspondence on that subject between the Lord Chamberlain anti the lessee of Drury Lane Theatre ? Lord JOHN Rs- SELL denied that Ministers had taken any strong measures on the alb- jeet mentioned ; and had no objection to produce the correspondence called for by Mr. Duncombe.

Mr. DUNCOMBE moved for copies of the correspondence ; and said, that notwithstanding Lord John Russell's denial, her Majesty's Govern- ment had taken very unprecedented measures to defeat a resolution of the House of Commons.—Motion agreed to.

SALE Or BEER. Mr. PAKINGTON, on Tuesday, obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the Beer Act. He would not then, he said, enter into the details of his measure, for the discussion of which ample time would be given ; but his object was to diminish the number of beer- houses, and give to those which remained, or should hereafter be licensed, a more respectable character.

THE HIGHWAYS BILL was "considered" in Committee on Wednes- day. The object of this measure is to place the management of parish highways, with certain restrictions, under " a competent Board," to consist of the Guardians of the Poor in all the Unions established by the Poor-law Commissioners. The bill is to be again "committed" on Wednesday the 20th of March.

CHURCH-RATES. In reply to a question by Mr. KELLY, Lord JOHN Russtet. stated that in about ten days he should probably be prepared to say whether Government would introduce any measure this session. respecting Church-rates.

CANADA. Lord JOHN RUSSELL informed Sir ROBERT PEEL, that

the measure respecting the future government of Canada would not be introduced till after Easter. There were points to be reconsidered.

CALEDONIAN CANAL. A Select Committee was appointed, on Mr. ROBERT STEUART'S motion, to inquire what steps are necessary to be enough said on the subject? If Mr. Stuart, in hits Report; had indulged in any taken in respect to the present state of the Caledonian Canal. 'NEW ZEALAND. On Thursday, Mr. Hun: gave notice, that on the 21st instant he should move for leave to bring in a bill to establish a colony in New Zealand.

Intsit RstswAys. In reply to Sir ROBEItT PEEL, Lord JOB'S RUSSELL said that no vote for Irish railways would be taken either on the follow- ing Friday or Monday.

On Thursday, Lord BROUGII.131 presented to the Lords two petitions, praying the House to encourage the construction of railways in Ire- land-- 11e Lroved of every pruper facility that could h given for the construction

of. ritt. in IrelaLtl, hat should oppose to the utmost of his power any at- L'Ini,t ot!taia En land ;:ny grant of nanav for that cvlileh, in his opi- nion, 1.1 hr umjustiiia!de uiip, Such an atte:1111t %vould only Lay,. th.elfeet ing into that country money which waaN nit. Ilow there n:ttart:lty, and uHeli in any other country but Ireland (where such it thing was not to hv ) must probably give rise to what were oftentimes de- nontilt,001. !!

L L It it n AG Es. In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, the Bishop of LosorfN C:II:Cd WWII: ion to a marriaee which had taken place under the hew Marriage Act, between a man and the widow of his grandfather. a youag woman, otaler age. The ilegiArar issued an

injunmioa ti:e marriage as soon as he discovered the relatioa- ship or the ; hut it wtm tan Ittfe —the ceremonv had been so-

iemoized 1:y the Sui:erintyodant or the °Lindh: Union. lie had been intrusted 1w:t1c10:is stating the facts, but would not found any mo- tian upon tin Lord Chancellor CorrENIIAM said, he was in possession of' a state- ate ii s s.,,,rdiag with the llishop of Londoa's. Ile would aserve, that more irresn:arities of the kind had occurred under the old than under

the : 0:ererore the latter ought not to he blamed especially for vJett Lad